Loggia di Raffaello: 49 - 52
Loggia di Raffaello: 49 - 52
49 - The Birth of Christ - 365K ;
small image - 48K.
She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes
and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place
where travelers lodged.
There were shepherds in that locality, living in the
fields and keeping night watch by turns over their flocks. The angel of the
Lord appeared to them as the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were very much afraid. The angel said to them: "You have nothing to fear! I
come to proclaim the good news to you--tidings of great joy to be shared by
the whole people. This day in David's city a savior has been born to you,
the Messiah and Lord. Let this be a sign to you: in a manger you will find
an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes."
Suddenly, there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in high heaven,
peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another:
"Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord has made
known to us."
They went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby
lying in the manger; once they saw, they understood what had been told them
concerning this child. All who heard of it were astonished at the report
given them by the shepherds. (Lk 2:7-18)
50 - The Epiphany of Christ - 333K ;
small image - 47K.
After Jesus' birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod,
astrologers from the east arrived one day in Jerusalem inquiring, "Where is
the newborn king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have
come to pay him homage."
At this news King Herod became greatly disturbed,
and with him all Jerusalem. Summoning all of the chief priests and scribes
of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. "In
Bethlehem of Judea," they informed him. "Here is what the prophet has
written:
"And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among
the princes of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel."
Herod called the astrologers aside and found out from them the exact time of
the star's appearance. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, after having
instructed them: "Go and get detailed information about the child. When you
have found him, report your findings to me so that I may go and offer him
homage too."
After their audience with the king, they set out. The star which they had
observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over
the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and
on entering the house, found the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated
themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented
him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
They received a message in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back
to their own country by another route. (Mt 2:1-12)
51 - The Baptism of Christ - 330K ; small image - 46K.
Later Jesus, coming from Galilee, appeared before John at the Jordan to be
baptized by him. John tried to refuse him with the protest, "I should be
baptized by you, yet you come to me!"
Jesus answered: "Give in for now. We
must do this if we would fulfill all of God's demands." So John gave in.
After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water. Suddenly the
sky opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over
him. With that, a voice from the heavens said, "This is my beloved son. My
favor rests on him." (Mt 3:3-17)
During that time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in
the Jordan by John. Immediately on coming up out of the water he saw the sky
rent in two and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. Then a voice came
from the heavens: "You are my beloved son. On you my favor rests." (Mk 1:9-11)
When all the people were baptized, and Jesus was at prayer after likewise
being baptized, the skies opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in
visible form like a dove. A voice from heaven was heard to say: "You are my
beloved Son. On you my favor rests." (Lk 3:21-22)
52 - The Last Supper - 307K ;
small image - 41K.
During the meal Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his
disciples. "Take this and eat it," he said, "this is my body." Then he took
the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them. "All of you must drink from it, "
he said, "for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out
in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink
this fruit of the vine from now until the day when I drink it new with you
in my Father's reign." (Mt 26:26-29)
During the meal he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
"Take this," he said, "this is my body." He likewise took a cup, gave thanks
and passed it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them: "This is
my blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out on behalf of many. I
solemnly assure you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until
the day when I drink it new in the reign of God." (Mk 14:22-25)
He said to them: "I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you
before I suffer. I tell you, I will not eat again until it is fulfilled in
the kingdom of God."
Then taking a cup he offered a blessing in thanks and said: "Take this and
divide it among you; I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit
of the vine until the coming of the reign of God."
Then, taking bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them,
saying: "This is my body to be given for you. Do this as a remembrance of
me." He did the same with the cup after eating, saying as he did so: "This
cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." (Lk
22:15-20)
Christus Rex et Redemptor Mundi, a private, non-profit organization and its Executive Director Michael Olteanu are solely responsible for the design of this server, for generating all images and commentaries.
Awards granted to the Christus Rex Web Site.
Previous section 
Return to overview
Return to Christus Rex